Canada to Host 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships

September 5, 2012

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, announced today that Canada will be the host country for the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships next August. 

While the host city is yet to be confirmed, Swimming Canada CEO Pierre Lafontaine says that he is excited to bring another major international swimming event to Canada. 

“Over the years, Canada has had great success at hosting international swimming events,” said Lafontaine. “Bringing IPC Swimming World Championships for the first time to North America will be a great opportunity to showcase the best para-swimmers in the world. We are delighted that Canada will play host to the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships, the sixth edition of the event. With a seven-day program that includes 180 medal events across 14 classifications, it will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Paralympic Sport in North America between Paralympic Games years.” 

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is partnering with Swimming Canada for these championships. 

“This is a great opportunity for us to partner with one of the leading national sport organizations, Swimming Canada, in bringing this prestigious event to Canada,” said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the CPC. “It’s important for our athletes to compete at such a high level in front of Canadian supporters. This event will be a great platform for our Paralympic swimmers to inspire the next generation of para-athletes and show Canadians with a disability that sport is accessible to them. For the CPC, hosting parasport events in Canada on an ongoing basis will significantly contribute to the growth of our sport community as we aspire to become one of the leading nations in parasport.” 

“Giving Canadian athletes the opportunity to compete in front of their families, friends and youth across the country will be significant in Swimming Canada’s goal of encouraging more athletes with a disability to take their joy of plunging into the pool at recreational swim lessons to the next step, and chase a Paralympic dream,” added Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer Own the Podium. “Hosting major international events at home therefore is critical to the growth of all sports, and in turn, helps build depth which is key to any medal-winning program. We applaud the International Paralympic Committee for giving Canada the opportunity to host the IPC World Championships, and the chance to showcase para-swimming at its highest level to all Canadians.” 

The previous IPC Swimming World Championships were held in Eindhoven, Netherlands and attracted 49 athletes from 53 countries competing in 181 medal events. 

Based on a Letter of understanding signed today, Swimming Canada will finalize the date and location of the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships by October 2012.